Should Counsellors Offer Concessions? What to Consider Before You Decide
The Grow Your Private Practice Show · Jane Travis
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Show Notes
You became a counsellor to help people, but what happens when someone says they can’t afford your full fee?
Do you offer a concession? A sliding scale? Say yes and quietly resent it – or say no and feel guilty?
In this episode of the Grow Your Private Practice Show, I dive into one of the most emotionally loaded decisions counsellors face: whether or not to offer concessions in private practice.
No judgment. No one-size-fits-all answer. Just a proper, honest conversation about the messy middle ground between compassion, sustainability, and valuing your time.
We’ll cover:
- What “concessions” actually mean, and how they differ from pro bono or reduced rates
- Why so many counsellors feel torn about lowering their fees
- Real-world ways to offer concessions without getting taken for granted
- Whether clients still value therapy if they pay less (and what to watch for)
- The role money mindset plays in how you feel about charging
- My own journey with offering concessions, and what I did.
Whether you currently offer reduced fees or not, this episode will help you reflect, reset, and make a choice that feels right for you – not just your clients.
✨ Related episodes:
The Hidden Impact of Money Issues in Private Practice, with Cathy Towers
Should You Offer Therapy Clients a Free First Session?
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